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Faculty members share UNMC memories

Thomas Tape, M.D.

Thomas Tape, M.D.

One-hundred and five faculty members, celebrating service milestones of 40, 30, 20, 10 and five years, will be recognized during Wednesday’s annual faculty meeting at 4 p.m. in the Durham Research Center Auditorium.

Below, two colleagues marking 30 years share their favorite UNMC memories.

Thomas Tape, M.D., professor, internal medicine
I have many fond memories of UNMC over the years, but perhaps my favorite concerns the years when my office was located in Conkling Hall, the former nurses’ dormitory building. It was a stately old facility with enclosed sun porches at either end of the hall. During my time there, one of those porches had been converted into an office that was occupied by my mentor, Bob Wigton, M.D., who is now assistant dean of special projects. I have fond memories of often sitting in that pleasant space discussing the judgment and decision making research projects that Bob and I were working on together. Although the building eventually met its fate in the form of a wrecking ball, I saved one brick to remember her by.

For a complete list of five-, 10- and 20-year awardees, click here.

George Rozanski, Ph.D., professor and vice chair of education, cellular and integrative physiology, and professor of internal medicine









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George Rozanski, Ph.D.,

There have been so many memorable events during my time at UNMC, but perhaps my fondest memories are during the early years, when I set out to establish my first laboratory as an independent investigator. I was recruited initially by Internal Medicine (Dr. Sorrell was chairman at the time), but my mentors and colleagues where I did my post-doctoral fellowship encouraged me to seek a joint appointment in physiology.

I was fortunate that Dr. Joseph Gilmore, then chairman of physiology and biophysics, was able to offer me lab space in what was then called South Laboratory, now Bennett Hall. Most importantly, I was granted a courtesy appointment in physiology, and became a part of the academic and research activities of the department. From that point on, South Lab and the physiology department became my home.

My laboratory is now in the state-of-the-art Durham Research Center, but I often reflect on the character and history of the old South Lab and my formative years as a member of the physiology family and Department of Internal Medicine. During my 30 years at UNMC I have been fortunate to develop strong relationships with many students, post-docs, staff and faculty within our UNMC campus and at UNL. These relationships not only fostered important professional collaborations but also led to lifelong friendships. From those early days in South Lab to DRC now, it’s been quite a journey.